Controversial Gay March Draws Fire From Other Gays

US Gays Launch Boycott of Jerusalem Gay Pride Celebration

May 1, 2005, San Francisco—Opposition to a controversial gay pride march is emerging from an unlikely source- other gays. The march is slated to take place in the contested city of Jerusalem, and has been dubbed “World Pride Israel” by its sponsors, who hope to bring gays from all over the world to a celebration with the theme “love without borders.”

Critics of the event say until Israel’s borders are truly open there is nothing to celebrate. A boycott has been launched by San Francisco-based Queers Undermining Israeli Terrorism (QUIT!), a lesbian/ gay/bi/trans group that supports return of the territories occupied by Israel to Palestinian control. “No city in the world could have more borders than Jerusalem” commented Kate Raphael-Bender of QUIT. Raphael-Bender said those borders are constantly encroaching further and further into Palestinian territory, and are enforced by military checkpoints and cement walls. “Israel’s borders are impenetrable to Palestinians, and keep many separated from their homes, jobs and families” she added. Raphael-Bender noted that gay Arabs are likely to hit a wall if they try to join the festivities in Jerusalem. Not only Palestinians but all Arabs are routinely denied entry into Israel.

QUIT urges gays and lesbians to observe ongoing international boycotts of travel to Israel and Israeli products through which the international community can exert pressure on Israel to withdraw its forces from Palestine. “For internationals to stay away from this event will send a very clear message to the Israeli government,” Raphael-Bender said, noting that the situation was different for gays in Israel. QUIT’s counterpart in Israel, Black Laundry, and the Palestinian lesbian group Aswat, will participate in the event but plan to use it to draw attention to the injustices Palestinians are subject to under the brutal Israeli occupation.

The boycott has begun to pick up steam, with a spectrum of U.S. organizations quickly signing on, including Jewish, Arabic and lesbian/gay groups. QUIT recently launched a web site, boycottworldpride.org, and their colorful bumper stickers were very popular at the March 19 demonstration against the ongoing U.S. occupation of Iraq.

Groups joining the boycott call so far are LAGAI -- Queer Insurrection, Queers for Peace and Justice, Jews for a Free Palestine (SF), Queers for Palestine-NY, Queers for Palestine-Boston, Middle East Children's Alliance (MECA), American Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, San Francisco Chapter (ADC-SF), International Socialist Organization

QUIT! has produced a 15-minute video to counter one produced by the San Francisco-based bluestarPR. The "Boycott World Pride: Love Without Borders?" video, excerpts of which are posted here, is available on the group's website, www.quitpalestine.org.